We are wrapping up the final week of summer recess and members of Congress are due back in Washington next week. So, be prepared for more fun and games and the political process gets back on track (or off track, depending upon your point of view).
This week, however, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Steering Committee on Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) met in Chicago. This group was established earlier this summer when the NCWM voted against authorization of the permissive application of ATC technology after determining there were too many technical and equity questions that must be answered.
After vigorous discussions, the committee proceeded to identify the new testing procedures that inspectors would have to learn to test ATC dispensers; developed a document to seek input from retailers, consumers, wholesalers, etc., regarding the pros and cons of ATC; and prepared a roadmap for implementing an ATC requirement if such a requirement was determined necessary.
The committee did acknowledge the value of participation from the affected stakeholders, meaning the retail community. In addition to NACS, NATSO, SIGMA, PMAA, API, a number of state associations attended the meeting to ensure that the retailers’ point of view was well represented. This must continue to be the case in future meetings.
To that end, below is the schedule of upcoming NCWM meetings where the issue of temperature compensation will likely to take place. Keep in mind that to convert a dispenser to compensate for temperature will cost retailers at least $2,000 per unit — this is a significant issue to your bottom line. I encourage any retailer who is interested in the issue of “hot gas” to consider attending a meeting in their area. If you have any questions, let me know:
September 9 – 13
Western Weights and Measures Association Annual Meeting
Lake Tahoe, NV
Contact: Steven Grabski (775) 688-1166 or sgrabski@agi.state.nv.us
September 16 – 19
Central Weights and Measures Association
Interim Meeting
Bettendorf, IA
Contact: Tim Tyson (785) 862-2415 or ttyson@kda.state.ks.us
October 9 – 10
Northeastern Weights and Measures Association
Annual Meeting
Springfield, MA
Contact: John Gaccione (914) 995-2160 or jpg@westchestergov.com
October 21 – 24
Southern Weights and Measures Association
Annual Meeting
Little Rock, AR
Contact: Tim Chesser (501) 570-1159 or Tim.chesser@aspb.ar.gov
January 27 – 30, 2008
National Conference on Weights and Measures
Interim Meeting
Albuquerque, NM
Contact: NCWM (240) 632-9454 or www.ncwm.net
Have a great holiday weekend!
John Eichberger
Vice President, Government Relations